Interview
Transferable skills let the music play
RE Rogers’ CEO Ravinder Sethi explains in this interview how precision logistics are powering global concerts in India
EW has previously looked at RE Rogers ' diversification of its business, with a focus on its motor racing experiences. Providing logistical support for music events is another string to the company ' s bow. Tell us about some of the challenges and detail involved in working in that sub-sector of events. Our involvement in music event logistics began several decades ago when India started hosting major international touring artists. What initially appeared to be freight forwarding quickly evolved into a highly specialised logistics discipline. Unlike conventional cargo movement, every shipment is directly linked to a live performance where delays are simply not an option.
Over the years, we have supported productions for global artists including
The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Metallica, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, and festivals such as Lollapalooza India, among others.
Concert logistics involves much more than transporting equipment. It requires meticulous planning for temporary imports, customs clearances within a few hours of arrival in to the country which is mainly at the show sites, airport handling, venue access,
Left: RE Rogers Boom lift
Left: RE Rogers Stage 3 stage equipment, lighting and sound systems, backline instruments, LED infrastructure and strict delivery schedules. Every movement is planned around rehearsals, production timelines and live show requirements. Behind every successful concert is months of preparation and seamless coordination among promoters, production teams, customs authorities and logistics partners.
One of the most memorable projects was supporting Bryan Adams ' seven-city tour across India, covering Kolkata, Shillong, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Goa. The gear travelled on a dedicated charter aircraft, and our team accompanied the tour throughout the journey to ensure every stage of the logistics operation was executed seamlessly.
The tour covered more than 7,000 kilometres across India, making precision planning absolutely critical. Every airport had its own handling procedures, operational practices and coordination requirements, requiring our team to adapt quickly while maintaining a consistent execution plan. One particularly memorable operation was managing the customs clearance which was even witnessed by the customs authorities for the first time in the history of Kolkata customs and onward movement from the newly operational Manohar International Airport( Mopa), Goa, before the charter departed for Dubai, which required close coordination among multiple stakeholders.
Projects like these reinforce an important lesson: successful concert logistics is built on preparation, adaptability and teamwork. No two airports or venues operate exactly the same way, and every destination presents its own operational nuances. The experience strengthened our planning processes and demonstrated that meticulous coordination is what keeps an international tour moving on schedule.
24 Issue 4 2026 www. exhibitionworld. co. uk